DOIT Newsletter - Spring 2025
A Message from the Vice President / Chief Information Officer
As we continue to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of technology, we are excited to share some of the latest advancements and initiatives from our Division of Information Technology (DoIT). One area that holds tremendous potential for transforming our campus operations and enhancing our academic and administrative processes is Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI is not just a buzzword. It is a powerful tool that can help us learn faster and work more efficiently. From automating routine tasks to providing personalized learning experiences, AI has the potential to revolutionize the way we teach, learn, provide our services, and manage our resources. We are making AI tools available to all members of our campus community and will provide assistance to those of us who would like to leverage AI to improve efficiency, foster innovation, and advance our campus to the next level of excellence.
In this issue of the DoIT newsletter, we will share with you the updates on our ongoing technology projects and tips about information security. We encourage you to explore technology tools and consider how technology may benefit your area of expertise.
Thank you for your continued support and collaboration as we embrace these exciting technological advancements. Together, we can harness the power of technology to create a smarter, more efficient, and innovative campus community.
Go Beach!
Min Yao, Ph.D.
Vice President & CIO
SMART CAMPUS UPDATES
New Innovative Textbot for Commencement
An innovative SMS textbot designed to automate conversations and provide instant responses without human intervention will be introduced for Commencement 2025. In a partnership between the Division of IT and University Relations and Development, this mobile texting tool will guide graduating students through their questions, delivering precise answers and directing them to webpages providing the details they seek. Operating 24/7, the textbot ensures no delays and offers a personalized experience that minimizes frustration and saves time.
Technology Help Desk Video Call Support
The Technology Help Desk (THD) introduced video call support in Fall 2024, in addition to existing in-person, telephone, email, and ticket options. Since its implementation, on average this service is used approximately 150 times per week! It makes it possible for users to receive help from anywhere they have an internet connection. You can access the video support on the from a computer or mobile device. are also available on-campus, offering video support at the touch of a button.
Elbee Chatbot Sees Rising Engagement in Spring
Since its inception in the summer of 2021, the has handled over 283,000 conversations, which can be translated to many hours of saved staff time. Recent data highlights the chatbot's ongoing impact. By looking at comparable Spring semester starts, automated conversations are trending up.
Spring Semesters (first six weeks):
- 2025 = 10,613 conversations
- 2024 = 10,198 conversations
- 2023 = 9,504 conversations
- 2022 = 9,341 conversations
HPC Environment Boosts Research for a Growing User Base
The campus environment, with its high computational power and parallel processing, has seen increasing usage by faculty and student researchers. Between November and January, the number of faculty-sponsored student researchers increased from 117 to 150.
Over the past 12 months, the environment has processed an average of 65,000 jobs a month!
Campus Smart Map New Sharing Feature
As part of our Smart Campus Initiative, the campus now includes shareable QR codes, making navigation even easier for students, staff, faculty, and visitors. The map offers detailed renderings of buildings, dining options, parking lots, and more. Users can get turn-by-turn walking directions, find accessible pathways, and locate outdoor Wi-Fi spots.
Consider incorporating these QR codes and shareable links in your departmental and program event materials.
The Expansion of AI Resources and Tools for Students, Staff, and Faculty
The AI Technology website serves as a central clearinghouse for AI resources developed and curated for É«ÖÐÉ«. Learn about new developments, including the recent news about the CSU-wide agreement regarding , which is set to be available this Spring.
INFORMATION SECURITY
Cybersecurity Awareness Week Starting March 10
Get ready for Cybersecurity Awareness Week 2025 at É«ÖÐÉ«! Join us for a lineup of events and activities designed to boost your cybersecurity knowledge and skills. Here's what's in store:
- Interactive Webinars: Learn from industry experts about AI & phishing, the AI revolution in cybersecurity, and how to launch and grow your cybersecurity career.
- Cybersecurity Trivia: Test your knowledge and win awesome LB swag!
- Virtual Egg Hunt: Follow us on and join the hunt for a chance to win a laptop.
- Tabling spots: Visit us on campus for valuable information, giveaways, and more.
Advisory Tip: Stay Vigilant Against Branded Phishing Attacks
There’s a new version of what’s known as the "Darcula" phishing kit, which is a phishing-as-a-service (PhaaS) platform, that has made it even easier for cybercriminals to impersonate any brand. By copying and pasting a brand's URL into this dark web service, attackers can create convincing phishing pages that look just like the original websites.
Stay vigilant and informed about emerging cybersecurity threats. Always verify the authenticity of emails and websites before providing any personal information. Your awareness and caution are crucial in protecting yourself and our campus from potential cyber threats.
NOTEWORTHY
New Required CSU Training - Emergency Procedures Course
Beginning March 3, 2025, all CSU employees, volunteers, and contractors must complete the Emergency Procedures course through CSU Learn. This training, required every three years, ensures the É«ÖÐÉ« campus community is prepared for emergencies. To view all currently assigned compliance training, login to  and click CSU Learn > Assigned Training. For general information on compliance training, visit training.csulb.edu.
ADA Title II Campus Resources
We are a year away from the ADA Title II deadline for public entities. É«ÖÐÉ« is collaborating with the Chancellor’s Office to provide updates and resources for our campus. For more details, please bookmark the É«ÖÐÉ« ADA Title II Update Webpage. We will use this page to keep the campus informed about responsibilities and resources as they become available.
New cohorts start each month, and a certificate will be awarded after completion.
Register Now for CSU Cross Collaboration Classes
The CSU Cross Campus Collaboration . These classes are offered by Learning and Development team members from across the CSU system and registration is open to all 23 campuses. Titles include "Weekly Dose of Mindfulness," "AI Playtime: Exploring AI for Work, Wellness and Creativity" and much more!
Did You Know?
Outlook Efficiency Tip: Ever find yourself writing the same email response over and over? Save it as an email signature and insert when needed.
- Create a new email message and type your text. Select and copy it.
- Go to the Signature tab > Signatures (Manage Signatures for Mac OS).
- Click New, give it a name, paste the text and click OK (Save for Mac OS).
- To use the reply, create a new message, click the Signature tab and select your preferred reply.
